Gunmen ambush, kill ex-Plateau councilor, traditional leader in Langtang South

By Kingsley Chukwuka

​Tragedy strucked the Langtang South Local Government Area of Plateau State following the brutal murder of Hon. Godwin Vonga, a traditional title holder and former councillor for Nasarawa Ward.

The respected community leader was ambushed and killed by unidentified gunmen along the Timshat-Mabudi road while returning from a family errand.

​The fatal attack occurred on Sunday night after Vonga, who held the traditional title of Magaji of Timshat, had traveled to the local government headquarters in Mabudi to drop off his children following their school break.

Local sources confirmed that the assailants intercepted the former lawmaker on his solo journey back to Timshat, leaving the community in deep mourning.

​Sources in the community told our correspondent that the deceased had travelled from Timshat to Mabudi to drop off his children, who had spent the holiday at home, before the attack occurred.

​According to the sources, the former councillor was ambushed and killed by unknown assailants while making his way back to Timshat.

​A resident of the community, Nanbol Pirfa, said the incident had thrown Timshat and neighbouring communities into mourning, describing the late Vonga as a respected leader and public servant.

​”The entire community is in shock. He was well known and respected by many people. ”

​”We pray that those responsible are identified and brought to justice,” Pirfa said.

READ ALSO: Oyo School Abduction: Mother recounts horror of watching gunmen take her son

​Although the motive for the killing remains unclear, some residents suspect that the attackers may have been criminals operating along the route.

​Meanwhile, the Chairman of Langtang South Local Government Area, Hon. Nanfa Alhassan Nbin, has condemned the killing, describing it as barbaric, unfortunate and unacceptable.

​In a statement signed by his spokesman, Butko Bako Iliya, the chairman expressed shock over the death sympathising with the family of the deceased, the people of Timshat and the entire Langtang South community, praying for the repose of his soul and for God to grant his loved ones the strength to bear the loss.

​The chairman vowed that perpetrators of the crime would be brought to justice, warning criminal elements operating within the local government to desist from such acts or face the full weight of the law.

​He also urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies by providing useful information that could assist ongoing investigations.